With the case gaining widespread publicity, his barrister Paul Hobson said Stacey's future was now in tatters.

A criminal conviction for a racially aggravated public order offence has all but killed the undergraduate's dream of becoming a forensic scientist.

His incarceration means he will not be able to sit some upcoming exams - and as a result will fail his third year.

But more importantly, next month university officials will hold a disciplinary hearing to decide whether to kick out the suspended Stacey for good.

Swansea University student Jon May, who is the features editor for student newspaper The Waterfront, said there was not a great deal of sympathy for Stacey - despite him once being a popular figure.

"A lot of people have been calling for him to be expelled," added the 22-year-old business management undergraduate.

"What he said has shocked a lot of people on campus.

"He's currently suspended at the moment, and a disciplinary hearing is going to take place in April.

"Given what has happened, the whole affair is hardly a good news story for the university."

Stacey is also said to be inconsolable at the attention his parents have received as a result of his antics - which has reportedly resulted in their home in Pontypridd being pelted with eggs.

Added to that, he has also struggled to cope with life inside prison where a court heard he had "pariah status" among more hardened criminals.

Media law expert David Banks said the legal case served as a stark warning to other Twitter users.

He said: "One of the selling points of social networking sites is how they appear to be very conversational.

"But what you post on Twitter is not the same as what you may say down the pub after a few drinks - and it has been shown the courts take a very dim view of people who post offensive material.

"Unlike an ordinary conversation, what you say on Twitter can be amplified and accessed by so many people.

"It's been proven around the time of the riots last summer how seriously the courts take people who post abusive or threatening messages via social media - where some were given lengthy prison sentences.

"With regard to Liam Stacey, it may be seen as a harsh sentence, but in doing so it sends a strong message out to the people that if you post a racist message then you will be punished."